Google is making the Android version of its Chrome browser more functional with a major update next month. This update will make third-party password managers work more smoothly on Chrome. Applications such as 1Password and Dashlane will now be able to auto-fill forms on websites more effectively.
Google already offers its own password manager and other information autofill support in Chrome. Information such as address and payment card are also included in this support. However, when Android users choose the default autofill service, a compatibility mode is used within Chrome. This leads to some errors and difficulties of use, especially in third-party password managers. Users who switch between iOS and Android devices report that the 1Password experience on iOS is smoother, but Safari integration is still better.
Google admits that the current Chrome experience creates issues such as “erratic page scrolling” and conflicts between Google’s own service and third-party password managers offering suggestions at the same time. “With this change, the Chrome browser on Android will empower third-party autofill services to fill out forms natively, providing users with a more seamless experience,” said Eiji Kitamura, developer advocate from the Chrome team. With this update, third-party autofill services will be able to fill in information such as passwords, keys, addresses, and payment information, just like other Android applications.
On November 12, all Android users will have access to the new Google Chrome feature
You can start testing the new functionality in Chrome 131 and later. After you set a third-party password manager as the preferred autofill service, you’ll need to change a Chrome flag to enable Chrome’s new autofill experience. All Android users will start using this new feature as of November 12, when Chrome 131 is scheduled to be released to the stable version.
This change aims to provide a smoother and more integrated browser experience for Android users. It is expected that the disruptions encountered on Chrome, especially by those who use applications such as 1Password and Dashlane, will end.